On June 6th, 1988 the Freewinds was christened in the harbor of Willemstad, Curacao and set sail on her maiden voyage calling to the ports of Aruba and Bonaire. Thirty-three years later the Freewinds has become an integral part of the Caribbean region. In addition to providing a distraction free environment for her passengers, the Freewinds has been assisting every port she visits with volunteer work, social benefit programs and fundraising events for worthy causes.
After starting off with a simple itinerary in the ABC Island of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, the Freewinds has expanded to ports throughout the Caribbean region. Operating for more than three decades the Freewinds is the longest continuing running cruise ship in the Caribbean, being a familiar sight in many Caribbean ports.
As a religious retreat for the international membership of the Church of Scientology the Freewinds offers advanced services, courses and conventions. The ship receives guests from North and South America, Europe and as far away as Taiwan, Japan and Australia. And with thirty different nationalities in her crew of just over 200, she is certainly an international community at sea.
Since the beginning of her career, the Freewinds has offered humanitarian assistance to the Caribbean. Providing each island the assistance they need. Over the years, millions of dollars have been raised for local non-profit organizations through fund-raising concerts with local musicians joining up with the Freewinds Band. Social betterment programs such as The Way to Happiness, Truth About Drugs and Youth for Human Rights have brought valuable information to better societies. And Volunteer Ministers supported by the Freewinds are always standing by to help, whether from the destruction of a hurricane or the situation encountered with the recent Covid-19 pandemic.
The Port Captain of the Freewinds, Ken Weber, commented, “The Caribbean is our home. Whichever port the ship calls to, we are always warmly welcomed. We have made many long-lasting friendships over the years, and continue to make new ones as well. Each island is unique and has something special to offer to our passengers and crew, whether it is the natural beauty of the port or diverse activities, it is always the warm and friendly people that make the difference. I cannot think of a better place to be sailing than the Caribbean. The Freewinds is looking forward to many more years of enjoying these beautiful islands and being able to bring our help and solutions to them.”
To learn more about the Freewinds, watch Inside Scientology: The Freewinds on the Scientology Network.(www.scientology.tv/series/inside-scientology/freewinds.html) or contact the Port Captain of the Freewinds at by email at ken.weber@freewinds.org or phone (727) 666-0645 Phone/WhatsApp.
